Shanxi Qinweiguan

Less known to people outside the region, Shanxi cuisine is quite a rarity in Taiwan, but Shanxi Qinweiguan is ready to amaze you with some of the most classic dishes of Shanxi cuisine. Shanxi cuisine is most well known for its extensive use of vinegar as a condiment, as well as for a huge variety of noodle dishes, such as the wide handmade al dente Biang-Biang noodles sprinkled with scallions and seasoned with star anise for that unique kick. The braised oxtail is slow and long cooked, making it delightful tender and chewy at the same time. With a common combination of eggs, veggies, rice and soy sauce, the plain-looking fried rice turns out to be the most surprising. To put a sweet end to the meal, most people will order the Mongolian deep-fried tofu sprinkled with a touch of icing sugar, where the slight sourness of the cream cheese filling pairs beautifully with the sweet icing coating.

This inconspicuous eatery is often outshone by the fancy coffee houses and restaurants that sit nearby, but foodies can always find their way. Seating is ample for up to one hundred diners, but making a reservation in advance is never a bad idea. The menu is extensive. If you have no clue where to start with, like most first-time diners do, let the waiter do the talking and he/she will bring the best food to your table. But note that the portions are quite generous, so think twice before placing your order.